Read the following passage about a young person with ambition. Then answer questions Joe s Reward. by Horatio Alger Jr.

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1 Read the following passage about a young person with ambition. Then answer questions Joe s Reward by Horatio Alger Jr. Joe certainly presented a neat appearance when he rowed over to the hotel dock. Before going he purchased a new collar and a dark blue tie, and these, with his new suit and new cap, set him off very well. The boat had been cleaned in the morning, and when the ladies appeared they inspected the craft with satisfaction. What a nice clean boat, said Mabel Mallison, the niece of the proprietor of the hotel. The ladies to go out were four in number, and two sat in the bow and two in the stern. It made quite a heavy load, but as they were not out for speed our hero did not mind it. We wish to go up to Fern Rock, said Mabel Mallison. They tell me there are some beautiful ferns to be gathered there. There are, answered Joe. I saw them last week. And I wish to get some nice birch bark if I can, said another of the ladies. I can get you plenty of it. Joe rowed along in his best style, and while doing so the ladies of the party asked him numerous questions concerning the lake and vicinity. When Fern Rock was reached, all went ashore, and our hero pointed out the ferns he had seen, and dug up such as the others wished to take along. An hour was spent over the ferns and in getting some birch bark, and then they started on the return for the hotel. I d like to row, cried one of the ladies. Oh, Jennie, I don t think you can! cried another. Of course I can, answered Jennie, and sprang up from her seat to take the oars. Be careful! came in a warning from Joe, as the boat began to rock. Oh, I m not afraid! said the young lady, and leaned forward to catch hold of one oar. Just then her foot slipped and she fell on the gunwale 1, causing the boat to tip more than ever. As she did this, Mabel Mallison, who was leaning over the side, gazing down into the clear waters of the lake, gave a shriek. 1 gunwale the top edge of the side of a boat 1

2 Oh, save me! came from her, and then she went over, with a loud splash. Joe was startled, and the ladies left in the boat set up a wail of terror. She will be drowned! Oh, save her! Save her, somebody! It is my fault! shrieked the young lady. I tipped the boat over! Joe said nothing, but looked over the side of the boat. He saw the body of Mabel Mallison not far away. But it was at the lake bottom and did not offer to rise. Then he gave a second look and saw that the dress of the unfortunate one was caught in some sharp rocks. Without hesitation he dived overboard, straight for the bottom. It was no easy matter to unfasten the garment, which was caught in a crack between two heavy stones. But at the second tug it came free, and a moment later both our hero and Mabel Mallison came to the surface. Oh! cried two of the ladies in the row-boat. Is she drowned? I trust not, answered Joe. Sit still, please, or the boat will surely go over. As best he could Joe hoisted Mabel into the craft and then clambered in himself. As he did so the unfortunate girl gave a gasp and opened her eyes. Oh! she murmured. You are safe now, Mabel! said one of her companions. And to think it was my fault! murmured the young lady. I shall never forgive myself as long as I live! Mabel Mallison had swallowed some water, but otherwise she was unhurt. But her pretty blue dress was about ruined, and Joe s new suit did not look near as well as it had when he had donned it. Let us row for the hotel, said one of the young ladies. Are you all right? she asked of Joe. Yes, ma am, barring the wetting. It was brave of you to go down after Mabel. Indeed it was! cried that young lady. If it hadn t been for you I might have been drowned. And she gave a deep shudder. I saw she was caught and that s why I went over after her, answered our hero simply. It wasn t so much to do. All dripping as he was, Joe caught up the oars of the boat and sent the craft in the direction of the hotel at a good speed. That she might not take cold, a shawl was thrown over Mabel s wet shoulders. The arrival of the party at the hotel caused a mild sensation. Mabel hurried to her room to put on dry clothing, and Joe was directed to go around to the kitchen. But when the proprietor of the place had heard what Joe had done for his niece he sent the lad to a private apartment and provided him with dry clothing belonging to another who was of our hero s size. 2

3 That was a fine thing to do, young man, said the hotel proprietor, when Joe appeared, dressed in the dry garments, and his own clothing had been sent to the laundry to be dried and pressed. I m glad I was there to do it, Mr. Mallison. Let me see, aren t you Hiram Bodley s boy? I lived with Mr. Bodley, yes. That is what I mean. Are you still living at the tumbled-down cabin? No, sir. I ve just sold off things, and I am going to settle in town. Where? I haven t decided that yet. I was going to hunt up a place when Ike Fairfield gave me the job of rowing out the young ladies. I see. You own the boat, eh? Yes, sir. You ought to be able to make a fair living, taking out summer boarders. I suppose so, but that won t give me anything to do this winter. Well, perhaps something else will turn up by that time. Andrew Mallison drew out a fat wallet. I want to reward you for saving Mabel. He drew out two ten-dollar bills and held them towards our hero. But Joe shook his head and drew back. Thank you very much, Mr. Mallison, but I don t want any reward. But you have earned it fairly, my lad. I won t touch it. If you want to help me you can throw some odd rowing jobs from the hotel in my way. Then you won t really touch the money? No, sir. How would you like to work for the hotel regularly? I d like it first-rate if it paid. I can guarantee you regular work so long as the summer season lasts. And what would it pay? At least a dollar a day, and your board. Then I ll accept and with thanks for your kindness. When can you come? I m here already. 3

4 That means that you can stay from now on? Yes, sir. I don t suppose you want the job of hauling somebody from the lake every day, said Andrew Mallison, with a smile. Not unless I was dressed for it, Mr. Mallison. Still, it has been the means of getting me a good position. I shall feel safe in sending out parties with you for I know you will do your best to keep them from harm. I ll certainly do that, I can promise you. 4

5 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS 1. Read the sentence from the passage. Be careful! came in a warning from Joe, as the boat began to rock. How is the plot most advanced by the sentence? A. by predicting the resolution B. by emphasizing the climax C. by initiating the main conflict D. by clarifying the falling action 2. Read the sentences from the passage. It was no easy matter to unfasten the garment, which was caught in a crack between two heavy stones. But at the second tug it came free, and a moment later both our hero and Mabel Mallison came to the surface. I saw she was caught and that s why I went over after her, answered our hero simply. It wasn t so much to do. Which intended effect do the sentences have on the reader s point of view? A. They influence the reader to feel great respect for Joe. B. They make the reader see that Mabel is a good swimmer. C. They give the reader the idea that Joe likes rowing the boat. D. They allow the reader to think that Mabel wants to return to the hotel. 3. Read the sentence from the passage. But her pretty blue dress was about ruined, and Joe s new suit did not look near as well as it had when he had donned it. What does the word donned mean as it is used in the sentence? A. pressed B. bought C. arranged for D. dressed in 5

6 4. Read the sentence from the passage. The arrival of the party at the hotel caused a mild sensation. How does the author use the word sensation? A. to highlight the commotion that the appearance of Joe and Mabel causes B. to suggest that Joe and Mabel are cold from their experience in the lake C. to explain that Jennie and Mabel are sorry for ruining the day for their friends D. to emphasize the disappointment that the guests feel toward Jennie and Mabel 5. Read the sentences from the passage. Well, perhaps something else will turn up by that time. Andrew Mallison drew out a fat wallet. I want to reward you for saving Mabel. What does the phrase fat wallet suggest to the reader? A. Andrew Mallison is unorganized. B. Andrew Mallison is impatient. C. Andrew Mallison is wealthy. D. Andrew Mallison is generous. 6. Read the sentences from the passage. How would you like to work for the hotel regularly? I d like it first-rate if it paid. Which feeling does the phrase first-rate most convey? A. tenderness B. enthusiasm C. sympathy D. playfulness 6

7 E08.A-K Which sentence best supports the idea that Joe is honest? A. I can get you plenty of it. B. I lived with Mr. Bodley, yes. C. I ve just sold off things, and I am going to settle in town. D. Thank you very much, Mr. Mallison, but I don t want any reward. 8. Which sentences accurately summarize the passage objectively? A. Joe rows a group of girls across a lake to gather some plants. On their return to the hotel, Jennie causes the boat to tip, and Mabel falls from the boat into the water. Joe jumps in the water to rescue her. Mabel s uncle, Mr. Mallison, the owner of the hotel, offers Joe a reward. Joe refuses the reward and is offered a job at the hotel by Mr. Mallison. B. Joe dresses in a new tie and suit. He rows a group of girls across a lake to gather some fern and birch bark. On their way back to the hotel, Jennie causes Mabel to fall in the water. Joe jumps in and saves Mabel. They return to the hotel in wet clothing. Joe meets Mr. Mallison. Mr. Mallison offers Joe a reward for saving his niece, Mabel. C. Joe takes his nice clean boat and rows a group of girls across a lake. The girls find fern and birch bark to collect. On the way back to the hotel, Mabel falls into the water. Her dress gets caught in some rocks, and Joe bravely jumps in the water to rescue her. Someone in the boat kindly places a shawl on Mabel s shoulders. They row back to the hotel in their wet clothing. D. Joe rows his boat across the lake to help a group of girls gather some ferns. On the way back to the hotel, Mabel falls into the water, and Joe jumps in to save her. They crawl back into the boat and head for the hotel. Mabel heads to her room to put on dry clothing. Joe meets Mabel s uncle, Mr. Mallison, who rightly thanks Joe for saving his niece. 9. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two. Part One How does Jennie most likely feel after Mabel falls into the water? A. annoyed B. certain C. guilty D. thankful 7

8 Part Two Which sentence from the passage supports the answer in Part One? Choose one answer. A. I d like to row, cried one of the ladies. B. You are safe now, Mabel! said one of her companions. C. I shall never forgive myself as long as I live. D. It was brave of you to go down after Mabel. 10. This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two. Part One Which generalization about rowboats is most supported by events in the passage? A. Rowboats provide a relaxing ride. B. Rowboats are steered from the back. C. Rowboats can go faster when more people are in them. D. Rowboats can become unstable with sudden movements. Part Two Which sentences best support the answer in Part One? Choose two answers. A. The ladies to go out were four in number, and two sat in the bow and two in the stern. B. Be careful! came in a warning from Joe, as the boat began to rock. C. Just then her foot slipped and she fell on the gunwale, causing the boat to tip more than ever. D. Let us row for the hotel, said one of the young ladies. E. All dripping as he was, Joe caught up the oars of the boat and sent the craft in the direction of the hotel at a good speed. 8